Page 61 - Plastics News May 2017

PRODUCT NEWS

Teknor introduces two new series of Medalist®

eknor Apex has introduced two new series of Medalist® 10993-5 standards for biocompatibility, and REACH SVHC
TTPEs overcome limitations of standard gels, offer directives. They are free of DEHP and other phthalates,
device makers cost-effective alternatives to silicones. BPA, and latex. Standard grades are ADM-free.
The ultra-soft thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) known as
gels are greatly valued in medical applications for their
cushioning properties, but they have challenged device Carola produces lighter PET
designers because of their surface tack and limited
adhesion to polypropylene (PP) substrates. bottles with Gebo Cermex
arola, one of the largest producers of mineral water
Cin France, is producing a new, lighter PET bottle
and, in doing so, has also increased output speed by
3,000 containers per hour.
Two new series of Medalist® medical elastomers from It follows a line upgrade by Gebo Cermex, with
Teknor Apex Company successfully address these installation and ramp-up to full speed production
challenges: Medalist MD-16100 low-tack gels exhibit less achieved in less than three weeks. The world leader in
surface friction than standard TPE gels, providing smooth packaging line engineering and material handling, part of
surfaces and improved haptics. Grades are available the Sidel Group, answered Carola’s need for an extensive
with hardness levels from an exceedingly low 20 Shore upgrade to meet the company’s industrial, commercial
OO to 65 Shore OO, or 10 Shore A. The compounds can and economic
provide padding, support, or cushioning in applications objectives.
Following the
like orthopedic devices and prosthetic liners and can buy-out of the
serve in diabetes therapy as insoles, heel cushions, and company by
toe spacers. Spadel, the

Medalist MD-10100 gels for over-molding onto PP exhibit international
excellent adhesion to this substrate, providing the group focused
design flexibility of parts consolidation and yielding on t h e
bottling and
rigid components with built-in cushioning functionality. mar keting
Grades range from 8 to 18 Shore A. These gels are used in of natural
respiratory masks to provide an air-tight, cushioning seal mineral waters and a varied range of refreshing drinks,
against the face. Other applications include orthopedic a new investment strategy called for a complete
devices and grips for handles or hand-held devices. The overhaul of the Ribeauvillé PET line facility, in Alsace
new compounds are safe for skin contact, process and (France). The ageing line was causing problems because
demold easily, and are available in clear and translucent of its limited flexibility, restricted accumulation
grades that are ideal for custom colors, according to Ross capacity, reduced speed due to the limitations of
van Royen, senior market manager of regulated products. certain machines within the line and poor working
Property data appear in the accompanying table. “New conditions. More importantly, the performance of the
Medalist 16100 and 10100 Series compounds are unique line was preventing Carola from keeping pace with the
among TPEs in avoiding much of the tackiness that is fast-changing beverage market and the fluctuations in
typical with gels and overcoming their limitations in PP consumer demand.
over-molding,” said Mr. van Royen. “Their outstanding The company was also eager to minimise the weight
properties as cushions and liners make them cost- of the bottles it was producing and to switch to
effective replacements for silicones.” Manufactured more modern packaging formats. The new owners’
in ISO 13485 facilities, the new gel compounds comply investment strategy included a plan for the reduction
with FDA requirements for food-grade ingredients, ISO of production costs.

61 May 2017 | Plastics News